Chapter 1 focuses on the utilization of green technologies for the restoration of degraded soil. Chapter 2 delves into advanced techniques for improving soil productivity. Chapter 3 emphasizes the importance of using soil amendments, including organic and bio-fertilizers, to enhance soil health and productivity. Chapter 4 discusses organic agriculture, including its role in nurturing the soil and supporting sustainable food production. In Chapter 5, a scientific approach is taken to soil restoration and management for the achievement of soil sustainability goals.

Introduction Soil is a non-renewable resource that sustains life, providing ecosystem services such as biomass production, contaminants filtration, raw material supply, nutrient, and hydrological cycle (Panagos et al., 2020). It contributes about 95% to global food production (Borrelli et al., 2020). Soil is a major global biodiversity pool and a large carbon pool on Earth. Therefore, it plays a crucial role in regulating energy and mass flow and their transfer between the biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere (Ferreira et al., 2021). Climate change and unsustainable management practices are threatening the soil’s natural capital resulting in soil degradation occurring simply from erosion to contamination and leading the soil to completely unproductiveness under severe conditions, leading to food insecurity (Ashoka et al., 2017; Syed et al., 2022)

Introduction Agriculture contributes a vital part within the financial stability of smallest emerging nations such as Pakistan as well. The economic system of Pakistan is fundamentally based upon agriculture (Govt. of Pakistan, 2004-2005). The total surface of Pakistan approximately 796,095 km2, of which 8.3 million km2 are uncultivated and 22 million km2 are farmed (Govt. of Pakistan 2015 2016). Despite an average yearly increase of 2.7%, agriculture contributes 21% of Pakistan’s GDP (Govt of Pakistan, 2004–2005). Farming is a sector whose fundamental and commercial models combine. Agriculture’s importance to the economy may be examined through three distinct perspectives: 1) as a source of nutritious food for the country and raw materials for internal industry; 2) as a way to generate currency from abroad and 3) as a source of products and services for local industries and the global market (Govt. of Pakistan, 2015-16).

Introduction Global population growth has led to an increase in demand for energy, food, and other essentials, resulting in an increase in agricultural land. Poor farming techniques, urbanization, and a lack of soil management measures have negative consequences for agricultural soils, such as reduced soil fertility, migration of soil organisms, and loss of soil microbiota and ultimately loss of soil health(Mehmood et al., 2020; Omotayo and Babalola, 2021; Syed et al., 2022). In addition, fertilizers used in agriculture have an impact on soil quality and health. Soil fertility is defined as the ability of a soil to meet the physico-chemical and biological requirements of a plant for growth, reproduction and quality, taking into account plant and soil type, land use and climatic conditions (Abbott and Murphy, 2007; Tyagi et al., 2019).

Introduction Organic farming is a comprehensive approach to production management that promotes and improves Agro-health, ecosystems including biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. It prioritizes management approaches above off-farm inputs, and agronomic, biological, and mechanical farming procedures are used rather than synthetic resources (Ajibade, Ayinde, and Abdoulaye 2020). The term “organic farming” refers to a production technique that excludes the use of artificially formulated fertilizers, pesticides, or growth regulators for agronomic practices or the use of different chemicals for livestock production, i.e., feed additives, growth promoters and antibiotics, etc. (M. Singh 2021).

Introduction to Soil Restoration and Management One of the most crucial elements for human survival is the availability of arable land. Desertification caused by land degradation has emerged as a serious global environmental threat to human well-being and sustainable development in recent years because of both climatic shifts and an increase in human activities that have direct impacts on soil. It has been widely alarmed by the United Nations Convention to combat desertification and has shown considerable interest in this issue (UNCCD, 2015). Soil degradation is used to describe the transformation of arable land into unproductive land because of natural processes, typically accelerated by human activity (Lal, 1993).

Introduction Waste management and soil sustainability are two critical aspects of environmental conservation and sustainable development. As our global population continues to grow and consume resources at unprecedented rates, it becomes increasingly important to manage waste effectively and preserve our soil health and productivity. Anthropogenic activities have consistently produced waste. The World Bank predicts that worldwide garbage production will rise to 70% by 2050 if no substantial actions are taken (Ghosh, 2020). This was not a significant problem when the world’s population was small; however, it is acquired as a major concern with industrialization and urbanization revolution. Lack of proper waste management has caused pollution of water, land, and atmosphere, as well as a significant effect on human health (Raza et al., 2022a; Raza et al., 2022b).

Introduction Soil plays a vital role in fulfilling fundamental human requirements, such as the provision of sustenance and water, while also serving as the primary medium for supporting biodiversity. The sustainability of soil in the 21st century is dependent upon not only the implementation of effective management practices by farmers, foresters, and land-planners, but also on government regulations, policies, marketing strategies, and subsidies (Mishra et al., 2017). The increasing influence of human activities on the Earth’s natural environment has led to significant global challenges concerning the interplay of planetary and public health (J. Huang et al., 2018).

Introduction More than three billion people are at risk of poverty due to land degradation caused by humans (Kansanga, Kerr, Lupafya, Dakishoni, & Luginaah, 2021). The implementation of Soil Sustainability Management (SSM) practices remains low among smallholder farmers, despite the fact that SSM has developed as a generally accepted technique to tackling soil degradation in Agro ecosystems (Kansanga et al., 2021). When it comes to food, water, energy, climate, biodiversity, and the provision of ecosystem services, soil plays a pivotal role in addressing these global environmental sustainability concerns (McBratney, Field, & Koch, 2014). The availability of food, fiber, clean water, and a varied landscape are all dependent on healthy soil.

Introduction Overview of the Chapter’s Focus on Agroecology and Soil Sustainability The ecology and biodiversity of our globe are being threatened by human activity, notably unsustainable agriculture methods. This chapter explores the vital function of agroecology, the intersection of ecological and agricultural concepts, in promoting sustainable farming systems. Soil sustainability, essential for effective and resilient agrarian operations, is critical to this strategy. Here, we give an overview of these key terms and talk about the pressing need to switch to sustainable agriculture methods to preserve the  health of the soil, increase food security, and create adaptable environments.

Introduction By enhancing microbial populations, enzyme activity, soil respiration, and microbial biomass, nano-black carbon is a novel method for the enhancement of soil biological characteristics. By reducing soil acidity and boosting soil fertility, nano-black carbon is believed to improve plant development. The application of nano-black carbon to agricultural soils can have a significant positive impact on plant productivity. In addition to potentially boosting soil resilience to climate change, nano-black carbon greatly boosted enzyme activity, microbial activity, and soil organic carbon retention.Due to a liming action, nano-black carbon has been proposed as a potential biotechnology to boost agricultural yields in acidic soils.

Introduction Soil is a vital, complex, and firm layer of the land surface that provides a source of minerals and organic matter interacting with air and water to harbor life forms. (Lobmann et al., 2022). Versatile micro and macro living organisms, i.e., bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes, inhabit soil and contribute to its quality, health, and inevitable role in serving the environment (Elsakhawy et al., 2022). Soil roots for a variety of crucial functions which involve ecosystem services or socioeconomic activities, e.g., biomass production, climate gas fluxes of CO2 , N2 O, and CH4 , water cleaning, storage and supply, foundation of construction and provision of construction materials, or provision of habitats etc. The responsibility of soil in sustaining life on earth by providing and conserving resources is not negotiable.

Introduction Future agricultural production potential is in danger due to the existing cropping system, characterized by irresponsible chemical utilization, extensive tillage, monoculture, and soil health degradation. Consequently, a significant challenge for modern agriculture lies in ensuring adequate nourishment for the entire world’s population while also safeguarding the environment. The intensification of agricultural practices negatively impacts vital natural resources like soil, water, air, and biodiversity throughout various developmental stages. While the conventional cropping system have enhanced crop productivity, its consequences including land degradation, resource depletion, reduced organic matter insoil, draught, soil salinity, erosion, and climate change pose significant global threats (Tomar et al. 2014; Yadav et al. 2014; Mandal et al. 2020; Rani et al. 2021).

Introduction According to the Forest Survey of India (FSI) “all lands, more than one hectare in area, with a tree canopy density of more than 10% is defined as Forest” (FSI 2009). The status of forests and forest management systems contribute to the vulnerability of forests to climate change. Indian forests are extremely diverse and heterogeneous. Forests and Climate Change are intimately intertwined. Forests have regulated the climate, rain, groundwater, soil of the earth over millennia. Their transpiration act as a regulator of the balance of oxygen and carbon-di-oxide: the world’s forests and forest soils currently store more than one trillion tons of carbon – twice the amount found floating free in the atmosphere. The forest and soils are home of biological diversity.

Introduction More than a third is covered by drylands in the terrestrial land surface, which have a harsh and vulnerable natural condition (Maier et al., 2014). Due to insufficient water availability, dry areas have a scant population of vascular plants, as well as poor availability of the nutrient turnover with poor availability of the resources as a result of severe temperatures (Adeel, 2008). Biological soil crusts or Biocrusts commonly protects the soil surface in dry environments and it is considered “ecosystem engineers” of arid and semiarid areas, as well as signs of ecosystem health (Briggs and Morgan, 2011; Bowker et al., 2008). They are connected in dryland ecosystem restoration level or degradation (Assouline et al., 2015). When compared to chemical or physical crusts, biocrust is the largest word that explicitly implies that these are the crusts which are dependent on the living organisms’ activity.

Introduction `The living and nonliving components of ecosystems, as well as the conditions and processes that occur within them, create services thus connecting ecosystems and human cultures. The preservation of Earth’s biological diversity and the protection of the benefits, or “ecosystem services,” those functioning ecosystems bring to humanity are two primary goals of environmental conservation. Agroforestry is increasingly viewed as providing ecological services, environmental advantages, and economic gains as part of a multifunctional working landscape. The multifunctional importance of agroecosystems was emphasized in both the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MES 2005) and the International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development (2008).

Introduction In recent decades, integrating trees with crops for food and wood production has received considerable attention in both tropical (Garrity et al., 2010) and temperate regions (Palma et al., 2007). The growing of trees in combination with the agricultural crop is a land management practice that farmers have been practicing since the ancient period. Seasonal agricultural/horticulture crops, woody perennial trees (multipurpose), and/or animals are major components of various agroforestry systems. According to Sanchez (1995), the science of agroforestry revolves around four aspects: competitiveness, complexity, sustainability, and profitability, and all of these factors must be balanced in order to produce beneficial outcomes. In fact, agroforestry is significantly assisting in meeting the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) such as poverty and hunger eradication, improved health, nutrition, and education for people, gender equality, and environmental sustainability, particularly in developing countries (Garrity, 2004, 2006).

Introduction Agroforestry being old as an art and new in its scientific terms has been gaining importance in the modern era due to shift of world from technology to nature in search of resilient way of sustaining livelihood (Dutta et al., 2023, Sharma et al., 2023 Bishaw et al., 2022, Agnoletti et al., 2022). The simplicity of the agroforestry system is the flagship reason of its widespread applicability and reliability in agricultural domains. There has been change in the world perspective regarding the nature and natural resources in recent times. Although there has been forest over 31 per cent of the world’s total geographical area (FAO and UNEP, 2022) but the stabilization of ecosystem and sustainable development is difficult without subsequent interaction between the tree, crop and livestock component on farm lands, being collectively called as agroforestry.

Introduction Increasing fresh water demands for ever growing population and it has increased by 600% over the past 100 year (Wada, et. Al, 2016) the annual increment rate 1.8 % whereas the present growth rate is less, only 1 % but this figure may be optimistic. The global water demands will grow significantly over the next two decades in all three components as: Industry, domestic and agriculture (U.N, 2018) industry and domestic demand will grow faster than agriculture, but agriculture demands will remain largest (U.N, 2018). The global water demands for all purpose will increase 20% to 30% by 2050, up to 5,500 to 6,000 km3 per year (Burek et.al, 2016), whereas, agricultural demands will increase by 60% by 2025 (Alexandrators and Bruinsma, 2012).

Introduction The rhizosphere plays a pivotal role in the boundary where biological and chemical activities profoundly impact various landscape and global-scale processes. Understanding these processes is crucial for maintaining planetary health and sustaining the organisms inhabiting it (Morrissey et al., 2004). To enhance the yield potential of staple food crops, leveraging the root systems of plants becomes essential to meet the anticipated doubling of global food demand in the future (Gewvin, 2010; Zhang et al., 2010). Amidst the challenges posed by global climate change and the burgeoning global population, there’s an increasing need for greater productivity from cultivated food, animal feed, and fibers on less favorable and often infertile lands—conditions already prevalent in many developing nations (Tilman et al., 2002). Advancing our understanding and control of rhizosphere processes stands as a critical frontier in research for the next decade.

A  Agri-silvi-horticulture 396  Agri-silvi-pastoral system 396  Agro-forestry 104, 149  Antibiotic production 436, 437 B  Bio-fertilizer 57–62, 71, 80, 84, 127 Biochar 16, 22, 35, 37, 53, 54–57, 125, 151, 159–168  Biocrust 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 332, 333, 335, 336, 347–356  Biodiversity 1, 3, 5, 6, 14, 24, 74, 75, 76, 78, 93, 94, 96, 97, 98, 99, 111, 117, 118, 120, 135, 150, 160, 166, 176, 177, 182, 183, 190, 191, 199, 200, 201, 203, 204, 205–207, 333, 355–356  Biological degradation 6, 165  Biosphere